Counseling/Healing Services Offered
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Online Articles, Resources
The National Association of School Psychologists Crisis resources site (http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/katrina.html) lists many useful articles for teachers and educators on how to help your Katrina-affected kids.
The American Psychological Association (APA) Help Center (http://www.apahelpcenter.org/) offers resources including Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina (http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=107), and Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering From Natural Disasters (http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=69).
Dart Center for Journalism & Trama resources (http://www.dartcenter.org/) Wealth of post-traumatic resources.
See also the The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies site (http://istss.org/). Here is a statement of Support and Concern for Survivors of Hurricane Katrina (http://istss.org/HK_Statement.htm) by ISTSS President-Elect Dean Kilpatrick that outlines mental health needs of survivors.
The National Center of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/topics/katrina.html) also lists Katrina resources and information.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network site (http://nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=hom_main) has a wealth of information including What You Should Know About the Emotional Impact of Hurricanes (http://nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_terr_hurr_desc), What You Should Know about the Emotional Impact of Floods (http://nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_terr_flood_desc), Guidelines for Parents to Help Students After a Hurricane - English Version (http://nctsn.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/parents_guidelines_talk_children_hurricanes.pdf), Guidelines for Parents to Help Students After a Hurricane - Spanish Version (http://nctsn.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/reports/ParentGuidelines_SpanishVersion.pdf), and Guidelines for Teachers to Help Students After a Hurricane (http://nctsn.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/teachers_guidelines_talk_children_hurricanes.pdf).
The Infinite Mind blog (http://lcmedia.typepad.com/) is sharing Hurricane Katrina mental health support and resources. See also The Infinite Mind's upcoming public radio programs, "In the Wake of the Storm: A Special Report" (airing starting September 7, 2005) and "The Road to Recovery," (airing starting September 14, 2005). More info on The Infinite Mind public radio broadcasts (http://www.lcmedia.com/mindprgm.htm) regarding Hurricane Katrina.
Information on Recovering from trauma and how acquaintances, friends, and family members can be helpful on Crossroads Dispatches (http://evelynrodriguez.typepad.com), by a survivor ofthe December 26th tsunami.)
This is primarily intended for volunteer and pro bono pyschological, spiritual and emotional healing resources for Katrina victims and their families; you do not have to be a licensed professional to be of service. For professionals, please indicate including whether you have sliding scale or other financial assistance if there is a cost. Additional comments/questions on this page, contact Evelyn Rodriguez crossroadsdispatches -at- gmail -dot- com, or 408-513-7324 cell. Info on local clinics and centers for walk-in support are needed as well.
Trauma Survivors Helping Survivors
Many volunteer organizations only allow licensed professionals to offer counseling. However, many healed trauma victims are willing to lend a helping ear and hand. After the tsunami, I found some of the most precious support came from survivors of other disasters from the Kobe earthquake to the 9/11 tragedy. I am available via email or phone (408-513-7324 or crossroadsdispatches -at- gmail -dot- com, my name is Evelyn) if you or your family member were directly affected by Katrina. Other volunteers please add yourself to this section.
Therapeutic Poetry (http://everythingandnothing.typepad.com/katrinapoetry/): Writes Shawn, a woman evacuated from the Mississippi Gulf Coast she's lived most of my life: "Let something good come from all of this rubble. To start us all off, I will write a poem, on the topic of your choice, for anyone who donates $50 or more to any of the organizations that are collecting monies or donates four hours of your time to any of the organizations. Just e-mail the organization that you are helping, tell me whether you've donated time or money and what you want your poem to be about to shawn.lea at gmail dot com." You can send Shawn a poem of your own. It sound crazy I know from my own experience writing poetry, or drawing what you feel or other creative outlets are healing and your expression helps others heal too.
Useful Questions and Conversations
We are people from the dialogue and deliberation community, who support people in having conversations that can heal and help people work together. We have set up a Conversation Space (http://www.wiki-thataway.org/index.php?page=KatrinaCrisis) for this.
One organization we are associated with is the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation: http://www.thataway.org. Here are some useful questions to focus energy and action:
• What is the most useful action I/we can take in this moment? • What are the best things that are happening and how can I/we support them? • What has this disaster shown us about the resources we have available in our society? • Where has wise conversation, wise action shown up? How do we expand on the best of what's happened? • How do we expand our insight, our vision of who we are and can be as a society so that we are as equipped as possible for the future?
Volunteering If You Are A Licensed Psychologist, Therapist, Counselor
The National Association of Social Workers site (http://www.naswdc.org/) says: "The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteer licensed mental health professionals who have completed the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Training requirements to meet the urgent and ongoing need for disaster workers created by Hurricane Katrina in the gulf region. Interested Social Workers should contact their local Red Cross chapter (http://www.naswdc.org/pressroom/events/katrina05/default.asp?alert=yes) for details and volunteer opportunities." More information on how to volunteer with Red Cross and the application forms is available here (http://www.naswdc.org/pressroom/events/katrina05/default.asp?alert=yes). You must be available for a minimum of two weeks.
I know this sounds like conflicting information, but it seems that in many regions the Red Cross is waiving the requirement for its Disaster Mental Health Training for licensed professionals. This according to American Psychological Association (APA) site (http://www.apapractice.org/apo/public/apa_hurricane_relief/american_red_cross.html): "Because of the magnitude of this disaster, ARC is now accepting applications from licensed practitioners even if they have not completed disaster mental health training." My sister, a licensed clinic psychologist, has also verified this but the waiving of the requirement varies from local Red Cross to local Red Cross.
Donations Needed
Play Therapy: Eric Green is sending a volunteer team of therapists and school counselors (http://www.psycport.com/showArticle.cfm?xmlFile=ascribe%5F2005%5F09%5F06%5Feng%2Dascribe%5Feng%2Dascribe%5F172516%5F171564442911812717%2Exml&provider=AScribe%20Newswire) to establish a mental health relief effort specifically for children. Anyone interested in helping may send cash or toys, dolls, puppets, sand miniatures and picture books and children's reading materials directly to:
The Rev. Monsignor Paul Metrejean, 136 Metrejean Lane, Opelousas, LA 70570 Phone: 337-942-6123
Therapy & Psychological Counseling
Suicide Prevention Hotline. The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is providing a suicide prevention hotline, available to anyone at 800-273-TALK. The agency is also staffing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (ET) an emergency response center, providing behavioral health services for first responders, at 1-240-276-1200.
Counselor Seeking to Aid Agency To Volunteer. I live in the Toronto area in Ontario, and am a Social Service Worker. I have worked in the shelter sector before, also in mental health, with children, and the homeless. I have experience in bereavement counselling, crisis intervention, and vocational/employment counselling. I would be more than willing to volunteer my skills whereever needed for a period of one to 2 weeks, however would need to be set up with an angency that would fund my travel expenses as I currently do not have the funds. I am available ASAP contact: capesue@gmail.com Susan Cape
Spiritual Counseling
Unity Church Prayer Line (24 hours via phone): (Christian) You will speak with a human whom will listen to your request and pray with you. English: 1-816-969-2000 Spanish: 1-816-969-2020
Beliefnet, an interfaith site, (http://www.beliefnet.com) has resources available. 'Where Is God?' (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/174/story_17436_1.html) shares a story from "a survivor of past hurricanes describes what it's like a year down the road and offers advice to victims of Katrina." Here's their Prayer Circle (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/174/story_17436_1.html). If a loved one or friend was involved with Katrina and you are having difficulty opening your heart to them because it may resurrect your own buried pain, this is a useful mediation technique called loving-kindness, or metta (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/32/story_3248_1.html).
Meditation and Yoga Centers
Eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (offered at more than 300 hospitals and centers throughout the country). Locate one nearest you here: [1] (http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/mbsr/)
"I really thank the MBSR program for helping me heal after the tsunami. Even though I thought I knew how to meditate, I needed the compassionate support of a group and a skillful teacher at this time." - Evelyn Rodriguez, tsunami survivor
Other Face-to-Face or Via Phone Resources
How to Be With a Katrina Survivor
This info is intended for (unaffected) family members, friends, acquaintences, and anyone that isn't a trained professional that encounters a person directly affected by the Katrina tragedy.
1. First, it is important for you to be available face-to-face. Many of us are experiencing so much of our own pain and suffering, it is difficult to be present for someone who has experienced a traumatic event. You may want to read this article, Dismantling Walls (http://evelynrodriguez.typepad.com/crossroads_dispatches/2005/09/dismantling_wal.html), for some suggestions. We are all wounded healers at some level, so don't expect perfection from yourself. If you still feel you are too fragile to be present for another, please be honest but don't ignore the person entirely. For instance, you can say, "I have so much of my own issues that I'm feeling tender right now with all that's happened. I don't know how to be helpful. What do you think would be helpful?" Find other family members, friends that can listen and be present. Find counseling resources - whether through a relief agency, your local hospital, local clergy, local therapists and/or social workers, and/or meditation and yoga centers. Help in the manner you have the capacity to help.
2. Your intent matters more than anything. Even silent communication is powerful as people pick up resonant energy in their limbic systems. Don't stress to much about if what you are saying or doing is "right." If you come with a hearfelt intent, it will come across somehow.
3. Don't assume talking will "make it worst." Many people avoid others that have gone through a traumatic event believing that not talking about it will somehow make the pain go away. It's a particularly lonely time if everyone has the same thought. It's not necessary to walk on eggshells, so to speak, with a trauma victim. After the tsunami, people really appreciated an attentive ear and a shoulder to lean on. People want to talk. Most really need to talk. There are some folks that tend to withdraw ("I just want to be alone"). Reach out and let them know you are available. Call or come by every few days (the "alone" phase will pass away).
4. Be patient. Everyone has their own timetable for grieving. Two weeks after the tsunami, I had friends suggesting that it was "time to move on." If the person seems to be attempting to heal and reach out, then they are doing just fine even if it's not your timetable (i.e. they are seeking counseling, meditating in a support group, etc.) If they have withdrawn from all support, that's when you can be helpful to a) listen b) find resources for healing and get them there.
5. Pity and sympathy aren't necessary ("oh you poor thing"). Compassion and empathy are. Imagine you are on a hospital bed with a terminal illness, you wouldn't expect friends to visit so they can suffer with you. A kind, benevolent, lighthearted, confident presence is preferred. Be yourself as much as possible. Joining in their suffering isn't necessary, or desired.
6. This is not the time for lectures or getting on your soapbox. For instance, "Why didn't you leave?" or "We create our own reality; the poor make their choices" or "Well, you know that New Orleans was a disaster waiting to happen; what do you expect?" In fact, this would be a good time to ensure the survivor isn't harboring self-blame and guilt. Let them know it's NOT their fault: what happened, happened. In fact, if you have strong opinions or judgments, this is time to keep them to yourself. I'm speaking from personal experience here, these are other uncalled for responses that do not help the survivor recover: "My pastor said that those in the tragedy were being punished by God.", "Why are you so upset - you didn't see any dead bodies yourself.", "Wow, that must have been quite an adventure!"
7. Don't make leaps and assume that every survivor is going to have post-traumatic stress syndrome. This may unnecessarily scare the survivor in regards to their long-term mental state. Humans are very resilient and psychologists are studying post-traumatic growth these days. I experienced symptoms of acute stress disorder for about the first ten days after the tsunami (anxiety, frequent heart palpatitations, difficulty sleeping). And I don't have PTSD today.
8. Do what your friend believes to be helpful. For instance, they may ask you to pray with them or read a passage from Bible. Or take them to a movie. You might object because you're not Christian or you think their suggestion is 'stupid.' But in reality, they are simply asking for your support and your love in a form they understand. If it's not going to kill you, just do it.
